Tuscaloosa AL vs Westland MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 84,155 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 38.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 49.6% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 42.8% | 22.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 5.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 21.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Westland
20.0%
Westland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.0% | Westland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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